“In Sagaing Region’s Chaung-U Township, military airstrikes and ground operations targeting Nwekhwe and Chaungma villages have resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including one member of the local People’s Defense Force (PDF). Around noon on February 25, troops from the Northwestern Military Command (NaMaKha) combined with soldiers from the Myapyugyi checkpoint launched an offensive against these villages. The attack began with initial airstrikes by fighter jets, followed by bombardment from two paramotors, while ground forces simultaneously conducted artillery strikes. This brutal assault caused numerous civilian casualties within the villages, with initial reports confirming at least six deaths, including one PDF member. However, local sources estimate the death toll could be higher, as clearing operations are still ongoing and many residents remain displaced from their homes. The targeted villages of Nwekhwe and Chaungma are located approximately one mile from Chaung-U town, with Nwekhwe having around 100 households and Chaungma containing about 400 households. At the time of the military’s invasion, there was no active fighting, and only a small number of PDF members were present in the vicinity of the villages. During the attack, bombs that fell in the center of the villages caused severe explosions, making it difficult to locate and recover some of the bodies. Rescue operations have been severely hampered by continued bombing from paramotors and ongoing artillery fire from military forces. The military column retreated in the evening, but continued to shell both villages from the Myapyugyi checkpoint throughout the night. The combination of airstrikes, artillery bombardment, and ground invasion has forced villagers to flee to safer locations, where they remain displaced. Communication lines in the area have been cut, making it difficult to determine the full extent of casualties and damage. There are also reports of fires in the villages, though it remains unclear whether these were caused by artillery strikes or deliberately set by military forces. The attack represents a significant escalation in military operations in the Chaung-U area, demonstrating the military’s continued use of disproportionate force against civilian populations. The targeting of these villages, which had minimal PDF presence at the time, raises serious concerns about the military’s conduct and its impact on civilian communities in the region.
